Coaches on the Hot Seat
By The Gold Sheet
Although we don't think as many college coaches are in as much jeopardy as a year ago (when there were 21 changes at the conclusion of the '08 campaign), the final month of the season is a crucial time for a number of mentors whose jobs are nonetheless on the line. Following is a quick update on those coaches who are walking a tightrope entering the final weeks of the regular season.
Charlie Weis, Notre Dame...Here we go again with Weis, who seemed to be on rather solid footing with the Fighting Irish sitting at 6-2, still in contention (albeit remotely) for a BCS berth, and with star WR Michael Floyd returning to the lineup after missing more than a month with a collarbone injury. But that was all before Navy traveled to South Bend last weekend and beat the Irish for the second straight time at Notre Dame Stadium. That after the Mids lost 43 straight times in the series dating back to Roger Staubach's days at Annapolis! Now, Weis' many critics have reappeared with fresh ammunition, with most of those also quick to remind that the Irish could have a couple of more losses this season had breaks not gone their way in earlier games. Moreover, some of the old criticisms of Weis teams (lack of emotion, blown assignments, poor execution, etc.) have resurfaced, with naysayers also quick to bring up past Weis failures besides the losses vs. Navy (home defeats last year vs. Syracuse and in '07 vs. Air Force, and now three straight home losses vs. service academy teams). With tough tests still on deck vs. Pitt, UConn, and Stanford, there's a good chance Weis could finish at 8-4, 7-5, or even 6-6; most considered 9-3 to be the "safe ground" Weis needed to stick around for another year. And with the BCS now gone and the Gator Bowl about the best Notre Dame can do for the postseason (at least Jacksonville folk are happy about the loss to the Midshipmen), the next three weeks become a referendum on Weis' immediate future. Remember that during Ty Willingham's last season at ND in 2004, there was hardly any speculation about an imminent change until the end of the regular season, when the Irish lost to Pitt and Southern Cal.
Bobby Bowden Florida State...It has descended into a charade in Tallahassee, where Bowden's role, even if evolving into something merely ceremonial these days, has become an embarrassment to a once-proud program now sitting at 4-5. About the only thing left to decide at FSU is whether Bowden is allowed to return in 2010, which would surely be his final year. For the moment, the school is caught between a rock and a hard place, with the program unraveling and becoming non-relevant in ACC, and coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher nervously awaiting a chance to clean house and begin the rebuilding process. Perhaps the change has already begun, as veteran d.c. Mickey Andrews announced last week that he would be retiring at the end of the season. These are hardly happy days in Seminole Nation; there were also rumors about a scuffle between assistant Chuck Amato and Jimbo on the flight home after an earlier loss at Boston College. The Noles are going to need two wins in their last three vs. Wake Forest, Maryland, and Florida (good luck with that one) to even get bowl-eligible and could be minus QB Christian Ponder as well. FSU supporters were at least hoping that Bowden's swansong could come in a bowl game, but the way things are going with the Noles, not even that looks guaranteed.
Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville...We have been a bit more sympathetic than others to Kragthorpe's slight at the 'Ville, especially after he cleared out some of the questionable characters in the program that were left over from Bobby Petrino's regime. But at some point, the on-field product has to improve, and at this stage the Cards continue to slip further into mediocrity, en route to their third straight bowl-less season, a hard thing to do these days. Supporters, worried that all of the momentum of the Petrino regime has evaporated, are unlikely to let the Kragthorpe era extend beyond November. Already, a few interesting names are floating as possible successors, including that of Tommy Tuberville, the ex-Auburn coach who has let it be known he intends to be coaching somewhere next season.
Al Groh, Virginia...Long rumored to be under the gun in Charlottesville, Groh's days seem to be numbered after last week's 52-17 embarrassment at Miami. More ominous for Groh was AD Craig Littlepage even stopping short of the dreaded "vote of confidence" last week, saying only that Groh will be evaluated on his "full body of work" at the end of the season. Littlepage also hinted that putting people in the stands at Scott Stadium was of utmost importance, and the fact the Cavs' attendance has dropped sharply is another warning flag for Groh. Most ACC observers believe this one is a fait accompli; an interesting early named mentioned as a possible replacement is Louisiana Tech HC (and also the Bulldogs' AD), Derek Dooley, son of Vince and also a Virginia alum. Dooley supposedly had interest in the Auburn opening last season (his dad Vince is an Auburn alum), and was in the frame for the Mississippi State job that eventually went to Dan Mullen. Although Dooley could use another bowl bid to elevate his candidacy.
Tommy West, Memphis...Sources in the Bluff City tell us that this one is practically a done deal, with interest in the Tigers barely registering in Memphis these days and the team en route to a disastrous season. One name mentioned as a possible successor has been that of ex-Tennessee HC Phil Fulmer. Fulmer has said that he would like to get back into the coaching theatre, although sources aren't sure he would jump at the Memphis job.
Dan Hawkins, Colorado...Just when the critics are about to turn the last spade of dirt on Hawkins' Boulder grave, his Buffs seem to come through with inspired efforts, such as last Saturday's dramatic comeback win over Texas A&M. At least the team continues to play hard, if not consistently well, for Hawkins, who still needs to run the table (not impossible, with Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Nebraska on deck) and give himself his best chance to earn a stay of execution. Some of the CU's truly galling efforts, such as early losses to Colorado State and Toledo, are hard for Buff supporters to get out of their minds, however.
Ron Zook, Illinois...Is Zook pulling a rabbit out of his hat? After a 1-6 start had everyone except AD Ron Guenther (who exercised the standard midseason vote of confidence) ready to run Zook out of Champaign-Urbana, the Illini have responded with two inspiring efforts, vs. Michigan and Minnesota, to give themselves a longshot chance at bowl eligibility (which would require another three wins to close the season). His critics, however, are still going to point out the regression of the team since the '07 Rose Bowl run, which looks like it will remain Zook's only winning season in five with the Illini. As for Guenther's recent remarks, sources have told us that money is not going to be an issue at Illinois if they decide to make a change. Zook can help his cause by continuing the recent win pattern, but many Big Ten observers don't believe he's in the clear just yet.
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan...This didn't seem to be possibility a month ago, with the Wolverines apparently on the road back from last year's 3-9 debacle. But three straight galling losses have put the Wolverines in peril of missing a bowl for the second straight year. Most Big Ten sources still believe Rich-Rod gets another year to straighten things out, but with NCAA issues relating to offseason workouts clouding the picture, we're not sure Rodriguez is in the clear this season, either.
Mike Locksley, New Mexico...MWC sources say the Lobo administrators would like to find some way out of the Locksley mess, which continues to get worse each week as new disclosures surface about his alleged fight with assistant coach J.B. Gerald in September. With UNM looking at a big donut unless it can win one of its final three games, we can't remember a new hire going so pear-shaped in so short a period of time. Don't the Lobos wish they still had Rocky Long to kick around?